The seventh man from the U.S. Virgin Islands to make the majors, Jose Morales was "a catcher by trade" but best remembered as a master pinch-hitter. In 1976, playing for the Montreal Expos, he set a record (since broken) for most pinch-hits in a season.

After his playing career, he became a respected hitting coach in the majors. His nephews are Melvin Nieves and Wil Nieves.